1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph.
The stasis occurs before Amir visits the Imam in jail. Him and Emily are married and live in Manhattan. Emily is a white woman who paints for a living. Amir is an attorney and clearly makes a substantial living. Emily paints using traditionally muslim techniques.
To an extent, one could say that the stasis occurs before 9/11 when relations between Muslims and non-Muslims became highly tensioned.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion occurs when the New York Times published Amir's name and alludes to the fact that he is legally representing the Imam. This is seen negatively by his employers and causes tensions at work. It also causes tension in his marriage because he has to tell Emily that he changed his last name to Kapoor.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor is that this is the day that Amir realizes that he isn't who he thought it was. In an essence, the life that he has built (his marriage, his job, his relationship with his family) is gone. We don't know what will happen to Amir.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Will Amir keep his job?
Will Amir get a promotion?
Will Emily and Amir stay together?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
Known to most: Amir is keeping information from Emily.
Known to one: Only Jory knows that Amir is in trouble at work. It isn't until she shares this information that we discover this.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moments occur towards the end of the play at the end of the dinner party. Amir yells at Jory and uses a racial slur to describe himself. He then gets angry at Emily for cheating on him and proceeds to beat her. All of this action is closely packed into a couple of lines and is meant to be shocking.
Another theatrical moment is when Amir states that he felt pride after 9/11.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Religion
Ethnicity
Interracial/cultural marriages
Self-delusion
8. What does the chief character want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of his getting what he wants?
Amir wants to assimilate to American society. He thinks that if he works hard enough, he will be able to fit in (or at least buy himself into a high social standing). I think he truly loves Emily but also sees her as a way into American society.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
The first image of Amir as a Moorish slave create the illusion of the power dynamic between the couple. There are two interracial couples in this show. This creates an image of potential inter-cultural conflict. These identities along with gender play out during the dinner scene. The apartment before and after the dinner party. Amir and Abe's clothes and how the choose to present themselves.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
Family is an important cultural value for muslims. Although Amir has renounced his faith, his last name and married a white woman, he still feels somewhat tied to his culture and his family. He goes to give council to the Imam because it is what Emily wants and because he feels an obligation to help his community. Ultimately though, his wish to assimilate is greater than his relation to his family and this is why he renounces his faith, his last name and marries a white woman. Amir touches on the conflict between nationalism and tribalism and how despite him renouncing Islam, he still feels bound to his culture and his people.
The stasis occurs before Amir visits the Imam in jail. Him and Emily are married and live in Manhattan. Emily is a white woman who paints for a living. Amir is an attorney and clearly makes a substantial living. Emily paints using traditionally muslim techniques.
To an extent, one could say that the stasis occurs before 9/11 when relations between Muslims and non-Muslims became highly tensioned.
2. What is the intrusion?
The intrusion occurs when the New York Times published Amir's name and alludes to the fact that he is legally representing the Imam. This is seen negatively by his employers and causes tensions at work. It also causes tension in his marriage because he has to tell Emily that he changed his last name to Kapoor.
3. What is the unique factor?
The unique factor is that this is the day that Amir realizes that he isn't who he thought it was. In an essence, the life that he has built (his marriage, his job, his relationship with his family) is gone. We don't know what will happen to Amir.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
Will Amir keep his job?
Will Amir get a promotion?
Will Emily and Amir stay together?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
Known to most: Amir is keeping information from Emily.
Known to one: Only Jory knows that Amir is in trouble at work. It isn't until she shares this information that we discover this.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moments occur towards the end of the play at the end of the dinner party. Amir yells at Jory and uses a racial slur to describe himself. He then gets angry at Emily for cheating on him and proceeds to beat her. All of this action is closely packed into a couple of lines and is meant to be shocking.
Another theatrical moment is when Amir states that he felt pride after 9/11.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Religion
Ethnicity
Interracial/cultural marriages
Self-delusion
8. What does the chief character want and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of his getting what he wants?
Amir wants to assimilate to American society. He thinks that if he works hard enough, he will be able to fit in (or at least buy himself into a high social standing). I think he truly loves Emily but also sees her as a way into American society.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
The first image of Amir as a Moorish slave create the illusion of the power dynamic between the couple. There are two interracial couples in this show. This creates an image of potential inter-cultural conflict. These identities along with gender play out during the dinner scene. The apartment before and after the dinner party. Amir and Abe's clothes and how the choose to present themselves.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
Family is an important cultural value for muslims. Although Amir has renounced his faith, his last name and married a white woman, he still feels somewhat tied to his culture and his family. He goes to give council to the Imam because it is what Emily wants and because he feels an obligation to help his community. Ultimately though, his wish to assimilate is greater than his relation to his family and this is why he renounces his faith, his last name and marries a white woman. Amir touches on the conflict between nationalism and tribalism and how despite him renouncing Islam, he still feels bound to his culture and his people.